It is reported (June 17) that the owners of the Roslin Hotel, at Thorpe Bay, are persisting with the proposal to build a platform, for commercial purposes, on a public beach.
The present intention – “weddings on the beach” – sounds innocuous and, indeed, romantic, but the managing director has not disguised her belief that this will simply be a successful business venture.
Nothing wrong with seeking enterprising ways of making money, but there will be legitimate objections to the privatisation of the people’s beach by anyone who may wish to exclude residents and visitors from parts of our community property.
An important principle is at risk here and it is wrong that this hotel should prejudge that principle by being allowed to create a precedent for others to follow.
It is the people’s beach, isn’t it? But if this proposal is allowed, then what comes next?
There are pubs not far from this hotel. Their customers already like to take their drinks across the road to the seawall and the beach.
Why shouldn’t the owners of the Halfway House and the Castle put platforms like the Roslin to improve the experience of their customers? And then the restaurants? The guest houses? The flats for disabled residents? The owners of houses or developers of blocks of flats?
This proposal about weddings is a commercially driven project and should be seen as such. If it is agreed, and the privatisation principle is established, then what is to stop others following?
James Kiggins
Clieveden Road
Southend
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